• The Chemistry SOL will be held in the upstairs gym. May 23, 2012 at 9:52 am

  • Prom tickets are being sold during all lunches. May 23, 2012 at 9:48 am

  • Today is a Red Day. May 23, 2012 at 9:48 am

  • The Class of 2013 will hold their final bake sale after school outside of the cafeteria. May 23, 2012 at 9:40 am

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Home > Student Life > Health > Pumpkins provide healthy Halloween options

Pumpkins provide healthy Halloween options

Esra Gokturk, Health Editor
September 26, 2011
Filed under Health, Top Stories

Pumpkins have more uses than just carving out a spooky Halloween face.

Lay off the Halloween candy and try pumpkins this year. There is a noticeable shift in diets that can be seen as people start to eat in accordance with the season. With Halloween just around the corner, eating a healthy balanced diet may seem impossible. However, you may be surprised to find that pumpkins can be your secret to diet success this season.The pumpkin is a universal symbol for fall.
Whether they’re being carved into Jack-o-lanterns by children or baked into a pie, nearly everyone finds a use for them. More importantly, pumpkins are actually one of the most nutritious fruits you can eat.

“I love the flavor of pumpkins, especially in the fall,” sophomore Jenny Nguyen said.

Pumpkins are not only rich in antioxidants, but also completely packed with vitamins and nutrients that are good for your body. They contain Vitamins C and E, as well as nutrients that can prevent illnesses and boost your immune system.

That’s not even the best part. Did you know that every part of the pumpkin can be eaten? This includes the flesh and seeds, too. Pumpkin seeds are actually a very popular snack, similar to sunflower seeds.

“I always eat pumpkin and sunflower seeds, they’re such a tasty salty snack,” senior Hiba Abu-el Hawa said.

Healthy eating options that incorporate the nutritious fruit include pumpkin soup and pumpkin bread. Its seeds can be eaten alone or even tossed into a salad for flavor. This season, you should also occasionally indulge in the not so healthy pumpkin options, like a slice of pumpkin pie, or the popular pumpkin spice latte at Starbucks.

“The pumpkin spice latte is my favorite, but I only have it sometimes because it’s unhealthy and expensive,” Nguyen said.

The health benefits of pumpkins are not limited solely to the fall season. Canned pumpkin and pumpkin seeds can be found at your local grocery store, and are a perfect healthy ingredient even when pumpkins are out of season. They are also just as healthy as fresh pumpkin, making this season the perfect time to add this great fruit to your diet.

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